Martin Odegaard's Arsenal role has changed – here's what's different

Martin Odegaard is approaching the new season with a new role at Arsenal, according to Sky Sports. The Norway captain, who turns 28 in December, is set to operate in a tweaked system as the Gunners prepare for their Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday 23 August, kick-off 4:30pm.

  • Player: Martin Odegaard
  • Club: Arsenal
  • New role: A fresh midfield function, detailed by Sky Sports
  • First fixture: Arsenal vs Manchester United, Sunday 23 August, Old Trafford, 4:30pm
  • Competition: Premier League
  • Status: Odegaard fully fit and available after a full pre-season

Why Odegaard is being used differently

The shift in Odegaard's role is about maximising his strengths in tighter areas. Arsenal look set to lean on his ability to receive between the lines and link play quickly, rather than asking him to cover wide spaces. He remains the captain and the chief creative outlet, but the structure around him is being adjusted to bring runners closer.

Sky Sports highlights the change as part of a broader evolution at the club, with Mikel Arteta fine-tuning his midfield. The new role should allow Odegaard to combine more often with the wide players and the centre-forward, creating overloads in central zones. His fitness is not an issue after a full pre-season.

Confirmed line-ups

The source, which focuses on Odegaard, does not provide a full matchday squad or substitute list. For this story, key absences and selection notes are confirmed below.

Arsenal (4-3-3, likely shape with Odegaard advanced on the right of the midfield three)

Starting XI: Not provided by the source.

Substitutes: Not provided by the source.

Manchester United

Starting XI: Not provided by the source.

Substitutes: Not provided by the source.

Selection notes

Kai Havertz misses the trip with a knee injury. Gabriel Martinelli is absent due to illness. New signing Eberechi Eze is in line to make his debut. Martin Odegaard is fit and available.

What was said

Sky Sports does not include direct quotes in the available source material.

The numbers

  • Odegaard turns 28 in December.
  • Kai Havertz is out with a knee injury.
  • Gabriel Martinelli is absent due to illness.
  • Eberechi Eze is a new signing and is in line to make his debut.

Deal details

Eberechi Eze is described as a new signing and is in line to make his debut. The source does not specify the fee, contract length, or selling club.

Injury and availability

Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz for the opening fixture after he sustained a knee injury. Gabriel Martinelli is unavailable due to illness. Martin Odegaard is fully fit and available for selection. Eberechi Eze is available and in contention to make his competitive debut.

Why Arteta is tweaking Odegaard's position

The change to Odegaard's role is not about limiting him. It is about giving him better access to the ball in areas where he can hurt opponents. By placing him slightly differently in the midfield structure, Arsenal can create more passing angles into the final third and allow runners to go beyond him. This is especially important without Kai Havertz, who often provided a physical focal point.

With Gabriel Martinelli absent through illness, Arsenal lose a direct wide threat, which may push the wide players to tuck inside more. That could open space for Odegaard to drift into, receiving between the lines. Eberechi Eze's potential debut adds another creative option who can operate in similar zones, giving Arteta a selection problem in a good way.

The tactical tweak also helps Arsenal manage transitions. Odegaard's work rate is often underrated; by positioning him closer to the central midfielders, he can help screen counter-attacks and regain possession higher up the pitch. Expect him to start in a midfield trio, with the freedom to move right or left depending on where the ball is.

Talking points

  • Should Odegaard be given a free role or a fixed position in the midfield three? The tweak suggests freedom, but discipline will be tested against Manchester United's press.
  • With Havertz and Martinelli out, is Eze's debut a necessity rather than a choice? Arsenal lack cover in attack, so the new man may be thrown straight in.
  • Is Odegaard still the main creator, or will Arsenal's new structure spread the responsibility? His numbers could dip even if the team improves.
  • Does the change make Arsenal more vulnerable defensively? Moving Odegaard deeper could leave gaps if he is caught upfield.

What happens next

Arsenal face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday 23 August, kick-off 4:30pm, in their opening Premier League fixture. Odegaard's new role will be tested immediately against one of the league's most intense midfields. A strong performance could cement the tweak for the season; a poor one will raise questions about whether Arteta is overcomplicating a settled system.

Frequently asked questions

Is Martin Odegaard fit for Arsenal's opening game?

Yes, Odegaard is fully fit and available after a full pre-season.

Which Arsenal players are missing for the Manchester United match?

Kai Havertz is out with a knee injury and Gabriel Martinelli is absent due to illness.

Will Eberechi Eze make his Arsenal debut against Manchester United?

Eberechi Eze, a new signing, is in line to make his debut in the fixture at Old Trafford.

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